All-Ireland SHC Semi-Finals

Saturday July 8

Limerick v Galway, Croke Park, 6pm, RTE/BBC

Referee: James Owens (Wexford)

For a sixth successive year Limerick will contest an All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final.

That the Liam MacCarthy Cup has been hoisted four times since 2018 by Declan Hannon illustrates what a special time it has been for the green and white team.

Hannon, though, misses out on Saturday through injury and with Seán Finn also unavailable the Limerick defence will be forced to cope in the absence of two crafty performers.

John Kiely's charges have adequately coped previously when key players have been missing, but a pumped up Galway will be eager to cause problems.

In the 2018 All-Ireland Final, and 2020 and 2022 Semi-Finals Limerick have fended off Galway's challenge.

Indeed Galway's last Championship success over Limerick was an All-Ireland Qualifier back in 2005.

Despite some awkward moments in the group stages, Limerick eventually retained the Munster Senior Hurling title.

Aaron Gillane's brilliance against Clare was a crucial factor, while in previous games Tom Diarmuid Byrnes and Tom Morrissey supplied valuable leadership when required.

Galway, beaten by a last gasp Cillian Buckley goal for Kilkenny in the Leinster decider, summoned a defiant display at TUS Gaelic Grounds to beat Tipperary.

Conor Whelan delivered dynamic displays in both of those games, while Evan Niland's 0-68 contribution in the 2023 is an encouraging sign for Henry Shefflin's outfit.

It promises to be a particularly interesting Saturday evening at GAA headquarters.

Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Mike Casey, Dan Morrissey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, Kyle Hayes, Gearóid Hegarty; Darragh O'Donovan, William O'Donoghue; David Reidy, Cian Lynch, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Séamus Flanagan, Peter Casey.

Subs: David McCarthy, Conor Boylan, Ronan Connolly, Aaron Costelloe, Colin Coughlan, Adam English, Richie English, Graeme Mulcahy, Barry Murphy, Cathal O'Neill, Oisín O'Reilly.

Galway: Éanna Murphy; Jack Grealish, Daithí Burke, Darren Morrissey; Pádraic Mannion, Gearóid McInerney, Joseph Cooney; Seán Linnane, Cathal Mannion; Ronan Glennon, Cianan Fahy, Kevin Cooney; Conor Whelan, Brian Concannon, Evan Niland.

Subs: Darach Fahy, TJ Brennan, Fintan Burke, Adrian Tuohey, Liam Collins, Tiernan Killeen, Tom Monaghan, Conor Cooney, Declan McLoughlin, Gavin Lee, Jarlath Mannion.

Sunday July 9

Kilkenny v Clare, Croke Park, 4pm, RTE/BBC

Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork)

Kilkenny and Clare clash once again at the penultimate round in the All-Ireland SHC.

In 2022 Kilkenny delivered a dynamic display to overpower Clare, emerging 2-26 to 0-20 victors.

An injury to John Conlon hampered Clare significantly, but Brian Lohan's team will be intent on demonstrating their ability at Croke Park.

The emphatic quarter-final win over Dublin, prompted by Tony Kelly and Mark Rodgers' crisp finishing, ensure Clare entered the last four heartened.

Kilkenny, though, are similarly optimistic, especially following the ultra dramatic Leinster showpiece triumph over Galway.

Derek Lyng's team led by eight before Galway launched a comeback mission. Then Kilkenny trailed by two, but Cillian Buckley planted the decisive goal at the end of an absorbing match.

Quietly, but effectively Leinster claimed a fourth provincial title in a row. Now Kilkenny want to capture national silverware.

In attack TJ Reid, Eoin Cody, and Martin Keoghan contributed scores throughout the Leinster campaign.

At the opposite end of the field Clare will inevitably be looking to Kelly, who has notched 5-32 in 2023, for inspiration, while Rodgers and the splendid Shane O'Donnell are prominent too.

David Fitzgerald's powerful runs too are another important factor for Clare, who will need to be diligent defensively.

Clare's only Championship success in eight previous matches against Kilkenny happened back in 1997.

That was a remarkable campaign for the Banner, who crave another All-Ireland final appearance. Kilkenny, ever the competitors, will be primed for what should be a fascinating battle.

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; David Blanchfield, Richie Reid, Paddy Deegan; Conor Fogarty, Adrian Mullen; Tom Phelan, Martin Keoghan, John Donnelly; Billy Ryan, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody.

Subs: Darren Brennan, Conor Delaney, Cillian Buckley, Pádraig Walsh, Darragh Corcoran, Alan Murphy, Cian Kenny, Timmy Clifford, Walter Walsh, Richie Hogan, Billy Drennan.

Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Conor Cleary, Rory Hayes; Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, David McInerney; Cathal Malone, David Fitzgerald; Peter Duggan, Tony Kelly, Ryan Taylor; Ian Galvin, Shane O'Donnell, Mark Rodgers.

Subs: Eamonn Foudy, Aron Shanagher, Cian Galvin, Cian Nolan, Darragh Lohan, David Reidy, Patrick Crotty, Paul Flanagan, Robin Mounsey, Seadna Morey, Shane Meehan.